QF’S Education Development Institute promotes values

Doha, The Gulf Observer: Across its diverse student body, Qatar Foundation (QF) is dedicated to instilling moral principles and nurturing a strong sense of national identity, culture, heritage, and shared values among those who learn within its ecosystem of education.

QF’s Education Development Institute (EDI) and the Wijdan Cultural Centre have joined forces under a new initiative, Nibras, to establish a citizenship education framework that integrates values into school curricula through a practical training project.

This partnership will extend across all 13 of QF schools, benefiting more than 7,000 students and 1,500 staff members at primary, preparatory, and secondary levels. Over the next three years, the collaboration will see joint workshops, seminars, and initiatives being held with the aim of sharing knowledge, implementing effective strategies for citizenship education, and leaving a lasting and positive impact on Qatar’s educational landscape by cultivating engaged and responsible citizens.

“We are in the process of developing an extensive educational framework for citizenship within Qatar Foundation schools through the Nibras initiative,” said Sara Al Hajri, Assistant Director of Culture, Heritage and Identity at EDI.

“This framework addresses various aspects of students’ development, including their cognition, behaviour, emotions, and social interactions. Our objective is to cultivate exemplary citizens who embody the desired qualities, deeply rooted in their country’s rich history, culture, customs, and traditions.

“Our collaboration with Wijdan represents an exceptional opportunity to nurture responsible citizens and shape the future of education in Qatar. Through the integration of values and the promotion of national identity across the curriculum, we aim to foster well-rounded personalities, where good citizenship becomes an intrinsic part of their character.”

According to Al Hajri, values are at the core of character development and ethical decision-making, as she said, “Through our partnership, we aspire to empower students with the knowledge and values necessary to actively contribute to their communities. By reinforcing a deep connection to our culture, heritage, and shared values, our collaboration with Wijdan instills a sense of pride and responsibility towards our nation.

Speaking about the significance of the Nibras initiative in fostering identity through education, Dr. Jassim Al Sultan, Director of Wijdan Cultural Centre, spoke of his hopes that the initiative will seamlessly integrate into school curricula, bringing benefits to students in Qatar and wider society.

Emphasizing the pivotal role of upbringing and education in achieving societal transformation, Dr. Al-Sultan said: “The launch of the Nibras program in schools assumes great importance. It serves as a resilient foundation for cultivating a collective social consciousness that will resonate through generations.”

He also spoke about how, in a contemporary era where identity is increasingly manufactured, education is essential in addressing this issue, saying: “As children embark on their journey of self-discovery, they face a multitude of challenges in shaping their identities – a responsibility that we must not underestimate.”

Dr. Recep Şentürk, Dean of the College of Islamic Studies at QF’s Hamad Bin Khalifa University, emphasised the significance of the initiative in preserving values and identity in the face of globalization, saying: “In today’s interconnected world, the preservation of values and identity has become a necessary and urgent matter.

“Education serves as a vital tool in this pursuit, guiding students on a transformative journey from imitation to conviction. It is through this process that values become ingrained within their very being, forming an unwavering part of their identity.”

“Regardless of changing circumstances or surroundings, one’s identity remains constant. It is not susceptible to external influences but remains rooted in one’s core values and beliefs.”

With QF’s diverse environment encompassing people from many different cultures and of many different nationalities, Dr. Şentürk highlighted the importance of maintaining Islamic, Arab, and local identity.

“While the diversity within Qatar Foundation offers a multitude of advantages, yet it is equally crucial for individuals to uphold and preserve their Islamic, Arab, and local identity.